Our Milestones

2012Focus on leading market positions through the sale of the industrial adhesives activity, including synthetic polymers, which belonged to the Bonding Systems division.

Continued development of building and construction adhesives activity by running it as an independent unit in the Flooring Systems division.

2008Acquisition of Bonar Floors, a major European flooring manufacturer in the contract flooring sector. With this, Flooring Systems strengthens its leading position as a systems provider of resilient flooring solutions in the commercial market.

Forbo acquires the lightweight PVC conveyor belting business from Fenner Dunlop (Charlotte) Inc. North America as a further step to strengthen its Movement Systems division.

2000 – 2003Adhesives gains world stature by acquiring Swift, operating worldwide from the USA, Europe and Asia. Belting business expands in Britain. Linoleum and Vinyl merged to create Forbo Flooring. Now three strategic businesses: Flooring, Adhesives and Belting.

2000 and 2001New strategy focusing on four divisions: Linoleum, Vinyl, Belting and Adhesives. Divestment of industrial activities, including extruded profiles, decorative products and coated textiles. Carpet business spun off in management buyout. A series of minor acquisitions to strengthen Adhesives business.

1996 – 1998Divestment of wall-coverings and laminates activities.

1994Acquisition of Siegling, specializing in process and conveyor belt systems.

1975 – 1994Forbo evolves into a worldwide group operating on five continents: acquisition of a flooring business in Britain; diversification into wall-coverings and high-pressure laminates.

1973 and 1974Adhesives activities hived off from linoleum business to be developed independently.Continentale Linoleum Union is renamed Forbo to reflect the wider portfolio of activities.

1950 – 1973Diversification into related products such as carpets and vinyl flooring.